Ryokans in Nakanojo

We have booked a room with our own private onsen as part of it and it was exceptional. If it weren‘t for the bugs (which the hotel can‘t do much about), it would be absolutely perfect. The rooms were super spacious and the beds very comfortable. Having Kaiseki in our very own room really adds to the whole experience of a traditional, Japanese inn. I also recommend trying the public baths even if you have one in your room, it is really good too!

Exceptional hospitality, tidy and comfort room, amazing experience with the open air onsen and the unforgettable dinner😍

Our stay at Shima Onsen Yoshimoto was spectacular. The entire staff is so hospitable and welcoming, they make sure everything is always perfect.

Where do I even start — this was our favourite stay in Japan! We originally booked for two nights but ended up extending our stay after a typhoon warning was issued for our next destination. The staff were incredibly accommodating, helping us weigh our options and moving us into another available room for the extra nights, ensuring that breakfast and dinner were included. Our host, Hinata, was absolutely wonderful. She spoke clear English and went over every detail of our stay — from cleaning times to meal preferences — with such care and professionalism. She was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely made us feel at home. The rooms are incredibly spacious, with soft, cosy beds, including a TV with Netflix and Disney! Making it easy to spend the day inside doing nothing! The food was exceptional — comparable to a fine Australian degustation that would easily cost hundreds back home. One night, we were even treated to dinner at their sister restaurant down the road, where we enjoyed delicious Wagyu steak, complete with pick-up and drop-off service. There were also snacks and alcoholic drinks available for purchase, plus a daily happy hour from 2–5pm. The private onsens, both in-room and in the public facility, were perfect for unwinding — with free Yakult on hand as a thoughtful touch. They also offered complimentary pick-up and drop-off at the local bus stop for both arrival and departure, which made everything so seamless. It was the perfect escape from the bustle of Tokyo — relaxing, memorable, and truly special. I can’t wait to return!

What seems like a slightly drab motel from the road is a magical paradise inside! Absolutely amazing stay, felt rejuvenated after only a few nights! The food was also incredible- though they really don’t cater for vegetarians so my kid ate a lot of ice cream (and I ate all their sashimi). Top place, will remember it forever!

We had a room with a private wooden bath, so we could bathe whenever we desired to! Not only was the room extremely comfortable and quiet, but the service was great too. The person, making sure our stay was as comfortable as possible was very kind to us as well, despite the language barrier. This was our last stop on our Japan Trip and it made the whole trip so much better, being able to hop in a private Onsen whenever! There was also an Additional Onsen you could rent out for an hour for 3000 Yen. It includes two different baths, one indoor and one outdoor and was definitely worth the price. The Food was incredible as well. We arrived by car, our luggage was carried up for us and our car was parked properly, so we really had nothing to worry about other than to find the place and relax our night away! It's a little off the beaten path. I'm not sure if you can reach the hotel easily by Train but it's quite simple with a car if you're confident in driving in Japan. There's a lot of beautiful scenery around too, such as a huge dam at the top of nearby valley, with an adorable little restaurant. I highly recommend the room we had for couples if you would like a romantic evening together!

Nice large tatami room Rotenburo by the river

wonderful baths, next to famous steps, beautiful ryokan